15-year-old boy struck by stray bullet in Coatesville

Coatesville police say a teenager's curiosity almost cost him his life when he was struck by stray gunfire while looking out a window.

March 23, 2014 6:28:29 PM PDT

Action News

COATESVILLE, Pa. - March 18, 2014 --

Coatesville police say a teenager's curiosity almost cost him his life when he was struck by stray gunfire while looking out a window.

"I just heard the three shots and then it stopped for a minute and started again and that was it and I called 911," said Earlene Jones.

Investigators say around 5:00 p.m. on the 500 block of Victoria Drive at Regency Park Apartments, there were several men in the parking lot.

Shots were fired and the 15-year-old boy, who was checking out the noise from the second floor of his home, was struck.

His apartment is several yards away from where police found shell casings.

"Totally uninvolved to whatever what was going on outside and he is struck. Certainly that is the type of crime that any city or any neighborhood can't tolerate and hates to see," said Chief Jack Laufer, Coatesville Police.

The teen's mother was home at the time. She rushed to help her son who was transported to Paoli Hospital in stable condition.

Action News spoke with people who know the boy including family friend Joseph Hanes.

"Very good. He never got into trouble before. He never got arrested. He don't do drugs, he don't smoke - very good guy," said Hanes.

"I've seen him and he seems like a nice boy. Plays basketball in the summer and everything, very respectable, but it's a shame," said Jones.

While police say this area is known to them, it's still a low crime neighborhood in the small community of Coatesville which had zero murders last year.

Residents with children in the complex say they're on edge.

"I go to work and I come home and my daughter wants to play after school and it's like can she go outside and play? It's broad daylight out here like that's scary," said Erica Dillard.

Coatesville police are looking for tips. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact them at 610-384-2300 or by texting "Coatesville" and your message to 847411.